Frequently Asked Questions

Our goat milk is sourced from 25 different family farms that are scattered across the Central Valley in the heart of California. Each and every one of the farms is privately owned and operated, many of them dating back multiple generations. At Meyenberg, we have worked with some of them for more than 40 years. Our long-term relationship and commitment to these dairy farmers is very important to us, and the partnerships we have established over decades fill us with pride. close

By nature, goats are browsers like deer, and not grazers like cows or sheep. Our dairy goats are fed a balanced, vegetarian diet, which is full of nutrients, and free of antibiotics, hormones, animal by-products, and preservatives. The goats eat alfalfa hay and other green forages, as well as a blend of grains including oats, barley, and corn. In addition, the goats receive almond hulls for fiber, salt blocks for digestion, and vitamin and mineral supplements for overall well-being. They also have plenty of fresh water on demand at all times. close

We believe in the humane treatment of all animals. At the farms, the goats have plenty of room to roam around during the day with free access to both the inside and outside areas. Large shelters provide protection from the seasonal elements such as extreme heat, cold, or rain. Appropriate space is vital for our goats so they can engage in their natural behavior. By nature, goats are very social animals, so we make sure to keep them together. Our farms are regularly inspected by state and county agencies and by Meyenberg Management to ensure the goats are always in the best of health and being treated properly. close

Our goats are milked twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. close

We have all kinds of goat breeds represented at the farms we partner with, including Saanen, Nubian, Toggenburg, LaMancha, Oberhasli, and Alpine. Each goat breed comes with its own unique pattern of fur, body size, shape of ears – and also character. Saanen goats, for example, are known to be mellow and sweet. LaMancha with their naturally small ears are personable and smart. Alpines are, well, quite sassy! Each farm has their own mix of breeds in their herd that the farmers have come to know and love. close

Casein is a natural protein found in all milk. Some people have an intolerance or allergy to casein—especially alpha s1 casein, which occurs in high levels in most cow milk. Goat milk is generally lower in alpha S1 casein and often contains a higher percentage of alpha s2 casein, depending on the breed. Casein comprises 70-80% of the proteins in goat milk; whey proteins account for the other 20-30%. Whey contains many of the important nutrients in yogurt and kefir that aid in muscle development and support the body’s immune response.

If you have been diagnosed with a milk protein allergy or have lactose intolerance, goat milk may not be right for you. It's important that you consult with a medical professional before making any dietary changes. close

Goat milk may be enjoyable by many people with a sensitive stomach. This wholesome dairy milk has the advantage of being easier to digest due to the smaller curds it forms in the stomach and its other, beneficial nutritional properties such as high levels of calcium and potassium, and short and medium-chained fatty acids. close

All milks from mammals have lactose, a.k.a. milk sugar. However, goat milk contains slightly less lactose than cow milk and many people with symptoms of lactose intolerance may be comfortable with it. If you've been diagnosed with lactose intolerance or a cow milk allergy, be sure to check in with a medical professional before trying goat milk. close

Goat milk's nutritional makeup is uniquely different from cow's milk. Goat milk is higher in calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin A, and vitamin C than whole cow’s milk. Goat milk contains higher levels of short and medium-chain fatty acids, in comparison to cow’s milk.

Finally, the average size of the fat globules in goat milk is smaller than in cow milk and forms a smaller, softer curd in the stomach. This allows stomach enzymes to break down the curds faster, making it easier to digest. close

Our goat milk products are sold nationwide in natural, specialty, and conventional food stores. Please visit our store locator to find our products at a store near you. If you can't find a store in your area that carries our products, we encourage you to let us know by sending an email to info@meyenberg.com so we can follow up with them. In addition, we recommend talking directly with the dairy buyer at your store and putting in a request. If a store is not able to place the products on their shelves, it’s oftentimes possible to special order a whole case and receive a case discount from the retailer. close

Ultra-pasteurization is the process of heating goat milk to 282˚F for three seconds. The milk is then flash cooled and packaged in steam sterilized cartons. This process destroys post-pasteurization bacteria that could harm the milk, and allows for a longer shelf life. Neither pasteurization, nor ultra-pasteurization appreciably effects nutritional content of milk. The FDA laws prohibit the sale of any raw milk product for nationwide distribution. close

Our fresh carton milks and goat butter can be frozen in the packaging for up to six months. Reconstituted evaporated or powdered goat milk can also be frozen, but please allow enough head room for expansion when freezing. Then, thaw the milk in the refrigerator when you're ready to use. close

Our Evaporated Goat Milk can be slightly tan or pink colored depending on the time of the year. This is especially true of evaporated milk canned during the spring when proteins are higher in goat milk. There is occasionally a creamy substance at the bottom of the can. This is a simple separation of protein solids. We recommend giving the can a shake before opening. close

We suggest speaking with your store's Dairy Manager. Sometimes you can get a discount by buying our products in cases. close

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